This three-part workshop series is designed for anyone interested in creating safe learning environments for all students. Teachers, school staff, members of youth-serving or community organizations, parents, students, and all community members are invited.

Workshop 1: Should Teachers Say It’s Okay to be Gay?

We will begin the series by examining some of the underlying norms that often prevent us from creating safe spaces for our LGBTQ students, staff, and parents/family members. Together we will develop a framework for what it means to create a safe school environment. This session is designed to:

Explore the strong norm of heterosexuality in our schools and communities and its impact on students, families and staff.

Unpack why some people find gender non-conformity to be threatening.

Examine what it means to be safe as a LGBTQ-identified student, staff member or parent and what it means to create a safe school environment.

Workshop 2 (March 12, 9 a.m. -12 p.m.) will focus on actions and strategies to foster and support safe learning environments for LGBTQ students, community members, and staff in schools.

This event series is free and open to the public. Please RSVP using the link below if you will be attending. Refreshments will be served and attendees are encouraged to participate in all three events in the sequence.

Facilitators

John Lenssen, Consultant, Adjunct Faculty, University of Oregon and Lewis & Clark College